Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-01-21
MIcHIGAN's LOSS.
Prof. olney, Professor Of Mathematics in
the University, Dies Suddenly

Edward Olney. LID, Professor OF
Mathematics ia the Michigan University
for the past twenty-four years, was found
dead in his bed at his home in Ann Arbor
Sunday morning, the 10Th inst He had
been in poor health for several years so
that he had been relieved TO "a large extent
OF his university work, but for the past
few months he seemed to be regaining his
old time health and vigor TO some extent
Although he had complained slightly OF
dizziness the day before his sudden death,
LIE was at work on his notes for the Sunday
school lessons which he furnished the
Christian Herad of Detroit This was his
last work, and his manuscript was found
upon his desk. He slept in an upper room
of his residence, and when his niece went
to call him in the morning she received no
response He was found lying in the bed,
and had evidently been dead some hours
| as his body was cold.
An autopsy was held in the afternoon,
| conducted by Drs Herman and Lupinski,
at which Drs. Vaughn and Palmer were
also present IL was found that there was
| n general degeneration OF the blood vessels
of tho body, and more particularly of the
| BRAIN so that death was caused by a
| failure OF circulation.
Edward Olney was one of the best known
of American mathematicians, and his rep
utation was well earned 10y hard work.
| He was born in Moreau. Saratoga county,
n. Y, July -, 1871. He was OF English
descent one of his ancestors, Thomas OIL
ney. coming over TO this country as FOL
lower of Roger Williams. When he was
six wears OF age his father moved 20 Oak
land county, Mich, and alter "a few months
70 Weston, Wood county, Ohio. Here the
future mathematician received some in
| structions in log school houses, but he was
| early obi ged TO give up the idea OF obtain
| ing much knowledge in tins way, and his
| time was required for labor upon the
farm After he was l3 years OF age 10 re-
| ceived but six weeks schooling. This he
obtained 10y hiring boy TO drive his OK
team while he went to school nearly
three miles distant In those xix weeks he
mastered Days algebra AT the same
time he taught an evening arithmetic
school at home TO earn enough money TO
nav the bov he had hired. After this his
studies were pursued alone AT 10 he was
teaching district school and boarding
around the district meanwhile studying
mathematics and Latin without teacher.
In two years more he was principal or the
gram mar department OF the | mon school
| in Perry sburg q. In ls5l lie was appoint
ed superintendent OF this school. teaching
Latin and higher English His fame as a
mathematician spread so that Madison
| university, y Y. conferred the honorary
made professor OF mathematics IN hala
mazoo college In 1863 he was called TO the
same position in Michigan university. lie
however. retained his interest in kalama
| roo college and was one OF It's trustees
While in Kalamazoo he owned and edited
the Mfch gdh christian Htrdd the Baptls
state paper The degree of Ii. ID. wa
conferred upon him 10y Kalamazoo collegt
| in 1861 He was the author of n complete
series of mathematical text books, lnclud
ing First Lessons in Arithmetic, "Prac
tical Arithmetic Science of Arithme
tic First Principles of Algebra, - Com
plete Algebra" Text Examples in Alge
bra" University Algebra Element
of Geometry Elements OF Irigonome
try and General Geometry and Cal
culus.
Prof. Dine was a prominent member o
the Baptist church and well known 70
his good deeds and work. From $50 L
1879 he was Pre- sident of the Baptist stat
, Convention. IL was largely through hl
influence that the present line stone BaI
> list church in Ann Arbor was erected. a
though a man OF very moderate means n
, gave several thousand dollars towards II
, erection. end in order that IL might he fire
from debit he mortgaged his house 10
$1,000 He took n great interest in tn
Students Christian association and In a.
= religious work for young men and youn
women In every good work he was fore
most
He was the fourth oldest professor !
. the university in term OF service and wa
. a great favorite with the.students. Every
BODY with whom he came IN contact ~
A came attached To him. He leaves VIII
and an adopted daughter.